What does Kevin Bahls next contract look like?

[Sylvanfan]

Should the Flames move on from Rasmus Anderson, this potentially makes Bahl a more important part of the team moving forward.

Bahl was pretty solid last year in his first full year as a Flame. Big body who can kill penalties.

Some might argue he's the biggest key RFA left, and certainly there with Zary and Frost as the NHL level RFA's that the Flames still have to get on a contract for this coming season.

I've seen projections of a 2-3 year Bridge in the 2.75 to 3.25 range. Longer term deals that go North of 5.

Warning...the ads in this link would drive you nuts..it's also from February.

https://thewincolumn.ca/2025/02/28/l...parable-deals/

Given his age, and that he's now got two 2 full seasons and 197 games over 3 years. Enough of a body of work to try and go longer term for me. If the number is slightly over 5 I still think I'm okay with it if it's a 6 year deal.

[kyuss275]

Because of age I would go long term for this player

[Wolven]

I would offer him an 8 year deal between $5-6M (and no trade protection) and see if he goes for it.

[Enoch Root]

The challenge with Bahl is that we don't know what he is yet. And from his perspective, the sky is the limit, so he isn't going to sign an 8 X $4M kind of deal.

He earned $1.2M last year (AAV of $1,050). He is a UFA in 3 years, so I think it's 2 or 4 years.

My guess: 2 X $2.75M, or 4 X $3.5M

[FanSince'01]

With the cap going up and Bahl still being relatively young, I think if you can lock him up long-term you're potentially looking at an Andersson-like 'steal of a deal' in a couple of years.

I'd definitely try to lock him up for as long as possible

[getbak]

A few pages of white letter sized paper.

[Tbull8]

8x $5.5 is a sweet spot in my opinion. I’d go as high as 6 if it took that

[Icon]

5x5

[Matty81]

I don't see him as being better than a 2nd pairing guy in his absolute peak, his offence is too limited, he's never put up big points at any level not even junior. Valuable player who brings a lot but for me while I know the cap is going up I'd like to see it between 4-5 a year on a longer term deal as I could see him sliding down into the bottom pairing eventually in 3-5 years if the Flames add a LHD who is a better puck mover/more well rounded.

It makes sense to me that Bahl would want a long deal deal too, he was a tweener for a bit and now had two full NHL seasons where he's put up 11 and 20 pts. Offer him 40 mil over 8 years and you're basically setting him up for life and he's not a player who you'd guarantee will get that top 4 opportunity anywhere else, he could easily still be bottom pairing or press box on a deep contending team, feels like a win win.

[gvitaly]

$(3.5-5)M x (4–7)years

If I had to guess something along:
$4.5 x 6

[Cali Panthers Fan]

He reminds me a lot of a young Chris Tanev, so I'd go out of my way to sign him for 8 years anywhere between $4 and 5 million. He's 24 now, so you're getting his best years as a defenseman at what is likely a bargain contract with the cap going up. Even if he ends up as a bottom pairing d-man long term, you're still getting good value on a contract like that going forward.

Just make sure there's no NTC or NMC in case you need to trade him down the line.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Not too much for term, lest his contract become a Bahl and Chain.

[Goriders]

Not sure how Bahl is going to get worse.

Big, physical, decent skater for size, can move the puck, strikes fear in the other team’s forwards I would bet.

I’d make sure he doesn’t leave.

[Macho0978]

8 years, get it done. Teams that win the cup most years have 3-4 dmen that are big and physical.

[Strange Brew]

He looks loke the real deal to me. Solid, dependable minutes eating Dman. Worth taking a risk on term IMO because he has a high floor.

I don't have an issue with giving in on some trade protection either, which should save a couple of bucks. Almost every player has some and they get worked around all the time.

[bdubbs]

8x5 or 8x6 would be my guess, and it would be a good deal. Big bodies with long reach are a must for playoff teams.

[Demetric]

should be 8 years for sure

[ForeverFlameFan]

5-8 years. Ideally 8 if it keeps the cap down. Would be a top 4 mainstay.

6.25m x 8 --> 50m contract would be my offer.

Others:

5m x 5
5.5m x 6
6m x 7

[bigrangy]

He’s no better than Zadorov, should be the same deal ish

[EVERLAST]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

He’s no better than Zadorov, should be the same deal ish

That's Horseshirt . This guy isn't a liability at all and pairs well with whoever he is paired with.

Hes Regher solid . I see an guy who's likely one of the most stable dependable guys we've seen in a long long time.

What we haven't seen yet is what I know he is in the playoffs and something CBL calls against beast. Absolutely a beast. He ain't flashy for sure but he can be nasty and he shows up every game.

I think he's gonna get low numbers however because I can't think of who ti compare him to but he's a stud.

He won't get over paid like Nurse , Bouchard Googley eye or Whatshisnut on the E N G and who cares .....he s a Flame and I see great things . To me 5.5 plus per and slightly above that makes sense from my eye test.

Can't wait to see him this year paired with Bruczkevich, Parekh so those 2 get greenlighted to show why were lucky to have them.